Durfee House facts for kids
The Durfee House is a very old building in Geneva, New York. Today, it is used as a home for students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This historic house was first built way back in 1787. It started as an office for someone who bought and sold land, especially as more European settlers moved into the area.
The Durfee House is thought to be the oldest building still standing in Geneva and the areas nearby. Even though it's so old, it was moved from its first spot downtown to its current location at 639 South Main Street in 1838. The building was also made bigger at least once, either in the late 1790s or the 1840s. Because it was moved and changed, it's harder for it to be officially recognized as a historical landmark. Still, it's considered one of the oldest wooden buildings west of Rome, New York. Hobart College has owned the building since 1840, and it is named after a famous math teacher and dean named William Pitt Durfee.
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What is the Durfee House?
The Durfee House is a special building with a long history. It's not just any old house; it's a piece of the past that is still being used today. It helps us understand what life was like a very long time ago in New York.
How Old is the Durfee House?
The Durfee House was built in 1787. This makes it more than 230 years old! It's the oldest known building still standing in Geneva and the surrounding area. Imagine all the changes it has seen over the centuries.
Where Was the Durfee House First Built?
The Durfee House was originally built in downtown Geneva. It was an office for a "land speculator." A land speculator is someone who buys land, hoping its value will go up so they can sell it for more money later. This was common when new towns were being settled.
Why Was the House Moved?
In 1838, the Durfee House was moved from its first spot downtown to where it is now, at 639 South Main Street. Buildings were sometimes moved in the past to make way for new construction or to be closer to new developments. Moving such a large building back then was a big and difficult job!
Who Owns the Durfee House Now?
Since 1840, the Durfee House has been owned by Hobart College. Today, it serves as housing for students who attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges. It's pretty cool that students get to live in such a historic place!
Who Was William Pitt Durfee?
The Durfee House is named after a person named William Pitt Durfee. He was a very smart man who was a mathematician and a dean at Hobart College. A dean is a leader in a college, often in charge of a specific part of the school or student life. Naming the house after him honors his contributions to the college.
Why is the Durfee House Important?
The Durfee House is important because it's a rare example of very old architecture in New York. Even though it was moved and changed, its age makes it special. It shows us how buildings were made a long time ago and how towns like Geneva grew. It connects the present-day college to its long history.
